Legend of the Week · Netherlands · Forward

Johan Cruyff

In a 1974 World Cup match against Sweden, Johan Cruyff pretended to pass, then spun the ball the other way and left his defender behind. The move has been called the Cruyff Turn ever since. He was named the best player of that World Cup and won the Ballon d'Or three times.

Ballon d'Or
3 (1971, 1973, 1974)
European Cups with Ajax
3
Main clubs
Ajax, Barcelona

Their move: The Cruyff Turn

The Four-Turn Circuit has a Cruyff Turn at one of its cones. Fake the pass, then turn.

Coach’s tip: Look as if you are going to pass. Then drag the ball behind your standing leg with the inside of your foot, and go.

Train it: Four-Turn Circuit

One turn at each of four cones — drag-back, inside hook, outside hook and Cruyff — round and round. 12 minutes, one player; 1 soccer ball, 4 cones. Set-up, steps and coaching points.

How we know this is true

Every sentence in the story and every figure above is stated by one of these sources: official bodies, clubs, Britannica or a major outlet, never Wikipedia or a fan site. Career facts only.

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In Spatrian each week brings a new legend on your child’s home screen, with the story read aloud. Run their drill that week and the legend is earned. The beta is opening to a small first group of homeschool families.